Psalm 136 13

Psalm 136:13 kjv

To him which divided the Red sea into parts: for his mercy endureth for ever:

Psalm 136:13 nkjv

To Him who divided the Red Sea in two, For His mercy endures forever;

Psalm 136:13 niv

to him who divided the Red Sea asunder His love endures forever.

Psalm 136:13 esv

to him who divided the Red Sea in two, for his steadfast love endures forever;

Psalm 136:13 nlt

Give thanks to him who parted the Red Sea.
? His faithful love endures forever.

Psalm 136 verses

Psalm 136 13 Meaning

Psalm 136:13 proclaims God's supreme power and covenant faithfulness, specifically celebrating His miraculous act of dividing the Red Sea (Yam Suph) into distinct passages for the children of Israel. This powerful deliverance from Egyptian bondage demonstrates God's unique control over creation and His unwavering, enduring mercy (ḥesed) toward His people, which is the constant refrain woven throughout the entire psalm. The verse emphasizes that this monumental intervention, an impossible feat for humanity, was executed solely by Him, proving His unrivaled sovereignty and His commitment to His chosen nation.

Psalm 136 13 Context

Psalm 136 is a liturgical psalm, likely used in communal worship as a responsive chant or litany. It functions as a hymn of thanksgiving, recounting God's glorious acts of creation (Ps 136:1-9) and especially redemption (Ps 136:10-24), culminating in His continuous provision (Ps 136:25-26). Each verse (except the first two and the last) is followed by the unchanging refrain: "for his mercy endureth for ever."

Verse 13 falls within the section detailing God's mighty interventions on behalf of Israel during the Exodus. It follows the striking of the firstborn in Egypt and bringing Israel out from among them. The parting of the Red Sea is the quintessential demonstration of God's power, marking the decisive break from slavery and the beginning of Israel's journey as a free people under God's direct guidance. Historically, this event solidified Israel's identity as a nation delivered by a sovereign, compassionate God, and served as a perpetual reminder of His unwavering commitment to His covenant.

Psalm 136 13 Word analysis

• To him which divided:

  • "divided": From the Hebrew verb גּוֹזֵר (gozer), a participle meaning "cutting," "hewing," "chopping," "splitting," or "severing." This is not a passive parting, but an active, decisive, and forceful intervention. It emphasizes God's direct, powerful, and deliberate act of separating what was once a unified body of water.
  • Significance: It highlights divine power, asserting God's absolute authority over the natural order. It presents Him not as a mere observer but as the active agent who orchestrates the miraculous. This sharp "cutting" created a clear path where there was none.

• the Red sea:

  • "Red sea": Hebrew יַם-סוּף (yam-sûp̄). Literally translates to "sea of reeds" or "sea of the end." While scholars debate the precise geographical location, the biblical narrative consistently depicts it as a vast, impassable body of water requiring a supernatural division.
  • Significance: This specific body of water was the final, seemingly insurmountable barrier for the Israelites fleeing Egypt. Its division marked the culmination of God's judgments on Egypt and His definitive deliverance of His people. It became the historical and theological pivot point of the Exodus.

• into parts:

  • "parts": From the Hebrew לִגְזָרִים (liḡzārîm), derived from the same root (גזר) as "divided." It means "into sections," "into pieces," or "into divisions."
  • Significance: This further reinforces the completeness and precision of God's act. He didn't merely make the water recede; He intentionally and distinctly separated it into standing walls on either side, creating a clear and safe path for the multitude of Israel to cross on dry ground. This was a testament to His purposeful design and control.

• for his mercy endureth for ever:

  • "mercy": Hebrew חֶסֶד (ḥesed). This is a foundational theological term signifying loyal love, steadfast love, covenant faithfulness, lovingkindness, and unfailing devotion. It's a love that is active, enduring, and rooted in God's covenant with His people.
  • "endureth for ever": Literally "to everlasting," "for eternity."
  • Significance: This is the unchangeable refrain of Psalm 136. It attributes all of God's mighty acts, including the dramatic splitting of the Red Sea, not to arbitrary power, but to His eternal and unchanging covenant faithfulness. It underscores that God's power is always an expression of His profound, enduring love for His people. The divine intervention was a manifestation of His active and persistent care.

Psalm 136 13 Bonus section

• The splitting of the Red Sea is not only a historical event but a profound theological statement, often echoed throughout the Old Testament to underscore Yahweh's identity as the powerful Deliverer who rescues the helpless.
• The event symbolically represents a spiritual death and rebirth for Israel, as they pass from slavery into freedom, moving through the waters of judgment and emergence into new life under God's covenant. This finds its parallel in Christian baptism (1 Cor 10:1-2), symbolizing deliverance from sin and new life in Christ.
• This act demonstrates that no obstacle is too great for God's purposes or His people. What is humanly impossible becomes divinely accomplished when aligned with God's steadfast love.
• The repetitive refrain, recited by a choir or the congregation, instilled in the hearts of the worshipers the fundamental truth that God's power and faithfulness are consistently exercised through His ḥesed. It teaches reliance on His enduring character in the face of all trials.

Psalm 136 13 Commentary

Psalm 136:13 succinctly captures one of the most pivotal events in salvation history: God's sovereign act of dividing the Red Sea. This verse highlights the unparalleled power of God ("to Him which divided") and the specific, dramatic nature of His intervention ("into parts"). The original Hebrew, utilizing "gozer" for "divided" and "g'zarim" for "parts," emphasizes a powerful, precise "cutting" or "hewing" action, depicting God as an active craftsman severing the waters to create an impossible pathway. This wasn't merely a natural phenomenon but a supernatural, intentional, and direct confrontation with a formidable barrier, demonstrating His supremacy over all creation and all opposing forces, including the might of Egypt.

Beyond the sheer power display, the enduring significance lies in the concluding refrain, "for his mercy endureth for ever." This constant declaration grounds God's formidable power in His unwavering ḥesed – His loyal, covenant love. The splitting of the Red Sea was not an act of brute force for its own sake, but an act driven by God's eternal commitment to His people, fulfilling His promise to deliver them from bondage. It reveals that His strength is perpetually in service of His love and faithfulness. This divine rescue served as a type or foreshadowing of all subsequent deliverance, culminating in the spiritual liberation from sin and death achieved through Christ, which is also an act rooted in God's eternal ḥesed. The verse reassures believers that the same mighty God, whose character is defined by unending lovingkindness, is eternally present and active on behalf of those He loves.